Sunday 31st March 2013

Some species are managing to migrate despite the weather with at least 91 Lesser Black-backed Gull heading NE during the morning. Counts from the estuary also suggested some northerly movement with counts from the estuary including 160 Dunlin, 77 Grey Plover, 37 Knot, 18 Sanderling and six Sandwich Tern. Other migrants were again in short supply with just six Chiffchaff and a Wheatear.

Saturday 30th March 2013

With no change in the weather there is little change in the birds with little apparent movement to or from the Exe. Counts from the estuary included 199 Curlew, 117 Brent Geese, 99 Grey Plover,  c30 Sandwich Tern, 21 Sanderling and 11 Bar-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere three Snipe were in Greenland Lake, a Red-throated Diver was offshore and migrants were limited to eight Chiffchaff and two Wheatear.

Friday 29th March 2013

Counts from the estuary included 480 Oystercatcher, 196 Curlew, 126 Brent Geese, 80+ Dunlin, 74 Grey Plover, 35+ Knot, 24 Ringed Plover, 14 Sandwich Tern, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, three Wigeon and two Teal. Elsewhere migrants were limited to six Chiffchaff and two Wheatear.

Thursday 28th March 2013

A Black-necked Grebe was offshore but otherwise there were just two Great-crested Grebe and two Common Scoter on the sea. A trickle of migrants included 25+ Meadow Pipit, 12 Goldfinch and a Chaffinch overhead with only seven Chiffchaff and three Wheatear grounded. Elsewhere 134 Brent Geese, 46 Bar-tailed Godwit, nine Teal, four Sandwich Tern and two Wigeon were in the estuary and the first Greylag Goose of the year was briefly on the Main Pond before flying north, the first record for the pond.

Wildlife News - The first Lizard sp of the year was tempted out by the weak sunshine, but failed to warm up quickly enough and ended up as food for the resident Kestrel. Still no sign of any Sand Crocus or butterflies yet.

Wednesday 27th March 2013

Two Wheatear were on Warren Point but no other news was received.

Tuesday 26th March 2013

The all too-brief highlight was the site's fifth Stone Curlew, it flew low west along the Golf Course, landing for just a few seconds before continuing westwards, the first since May 1987. Other migrants were limited to16+ Chiffchaff, four Wheatear and a Blackcap. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 400+ Dunlin, 290 Curlew, 156 Brent Geese, 76 Grey Plover, 65 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Teal, nine Ringed Plover, eight Sandwich Tern and three Wigeon with a Great Northern Diver flew south offshore.

Monday 25th March 2013

The first two Velvet Scoter of the year were offshore briefly in the morning before flying east. The first Osprey of the year also flew high north mid afternoon but other migrants were thin on the ground with four Wheatear and just a handful of Chiffchaff. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe, 49 Knot and 32 Sandwich Tern were in the estuary.

Wildlife News - A couple of new fungi for the recording area were found in Dead Dolphin Wood, both grow on old nettle stems Calloria neglecta and Leptosphaeria acuta.

Sunday 24th March 2013

Despite the winter conditions spring migrants were still moving through with c35 Chiffchaff and at least seven Wheatear, all mostly on Warren Point. Elsewhere a smart adult summer Little Gull was offshore with 85+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 24+ Sandwich Tern, four Shoveler and a Great Northern Diver, whilst in the estuary counts included 46 Grey Plover, 40 Bar-tailed Godwit, 32 Knot, 16 Sanderling and the Slavonian Grebe.

Saturday 23rd March 2013

From first light migrants were coming in off the sea and during the morning a site record 70+ Chiffchaff moved through with small groups feeding low down in vegetation across the site and several birds being seen leaving high to the north off Warren Point, with them were 65+ Wheatear, which also failed to linger, most rapidly continuing north or east from the spit. Other species included single Short-eared Owl and Merlin on Warren Point, the first Sand Martin and two Blackcap of the year, c120 Meadow Pipit, five Goldcrest and two Redwing with several of the Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush having a continental feel. Elsewhere two Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew in and remained in the Bight with 230 Dark-bellied Brent, four Mediterranean Gull were on site and 24+ Sandwich Tern and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary.

Wildlife News - Honesty is still one of the few plants to be in flower this spring. Frog Spawn is being left high and dry as the water recedes in Greenland Lake.

 

Friday 22nd March 2013

Early morning a flock of 13 Tufted Duck flew east and an adult Mediterranean Gull was offshore in a brief look in very poor conditions. Over the afternoon tide conditions hadn't improved but in the estuary there were 52+ Sandwich Tern, 320 Dunlin, 141 Brent Geese, 56 Knot, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, 46 Grey Plover, 13 Teal and a Greenshank.

Thursday 21st March 2013

The start of spring was marked by a lack of news but perhaps not surprising considering the weather.

Wednesday 20th March 2013

The Sparrowhawk continues to use the bird feeders but no other bird news was received.

Wildlife News - The Common Seal was again on Bull Hill.

Tuesday 19th March 2013

Over 100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese remain in the estuary with 12 Shelduck.

Monday 18th March 2013

There was some continuing overhead passage with 143 Jackdaw, 113 Starling, 24 Chaffinch and a Grey Wagtail heading NE along the spit but there were no grounded migrants. Counts from the estuary included c250 Dunlin, 131 Brent Geese, 52 Grey Plover, 56 Knot, 42+ Redshank, 30 Sanderling, seven Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere at least three Sandwich Tern were offshore, with two Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe.

Sunday 17th March 2013

Overhead there was a record spring passage of Chaffinch with 1750 heading NE between 9.20 and 10.40, with them at least three Brambling but they were mostly too high to check through, also overhead 412 Starling, 20+ Meadow Pipit, three Jackdaw and two Grey Wagtail. Counts from the estuary included 650 Dunlin, 120+ Brent Geese, 98 Grey Plover, 56 Teal, 45+ Redshank, 28 Sanderling, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere  20+ Common Scoter, a Tufted Duck and at least three Red-throated Diver were offshore, three Sandwich Tern flew north over the Dune Ridge and four Wheatear were in Greenland Lake.

Saturday 16th March 2013

The first Red-necked Grebe of the year was offshore with 20+ Common Scoter, two Tufted Duck, a drake Shoveler, two Slavonian and a Black-necked Grebe, five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. In the estuary another four Tufted Duck, four Goldeneye and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere a Wheatear was in Greenland Lake, with a drake Shoveler and a Gadwall on the Main Pond.

Monday 12th March 2013

A lone Wheatear was the only report for the day.

Sunday 10th March 2013

The first Sandwich Tern of the year was reported but no news was received but hardly surprising considering the weather!

Saturday 9th March 2013

Single Black-necked and a Slavonian Grebe were offshore with four Red-throated Diver, 13 Great-crested Grebe and 12 Common Scoter. Elsewhere a Grey Wagtail and a Siskin headed NE in the fog, the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with a pair of Goldeneye, a Chiffchaff was in Dead Dolphin Wood and four Shoveler were on the Main Pond.

Friday 8th March 2013

A Black-throated Diver was offshore with five Red-throated and Great Northern Diver, 16 Common Scoter and 12 Great-crested Grebe. The Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with 280 Dunlin, 124 Grey Plover,100+ Brent Geese, 63 Knot, 22 Sanderling, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Teal, 10 Wigeon and a Greenshank. Elsewhere 51+ Jackdaw moved overhead with three Shoveler and a Gadwall on the Main Pond.

Wildlife News - A Harbour Porpoise was again offshore with a dead Toad by the Entrance Tunnel.

Wednesday 6th March 2013

Counts from the estuary included 1300 Oystercatcher, 210 Brent Geese, 66 Curlew, 42 Redshank, 40 Teal and four Lapwing.  

Tuesday 5th March 2013

A Wheatear was reported, the earliest arrival since 1992, but no other news was received.

Monday 4th March 2013

A Black-necked Grebe remains in the estuary with 460 Dunlin, 141 Grey Plover, 105 Knot, 75 Brent Geese, 26 Wigeon, 18 Teal, five Black-tailed Godwit and four Sanderling. Elsewhere a drake Shoveler was on the Main Pond, five Stonechat were on site and 13+ Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north.

Saturday 2nd March 2013

Three Black-necked Grebe in the estuary were the highlight with 136 Grey Plover, 103 Knot, 26 Wigeon, 23 Sanderling, 22 Teal, four Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank. Elsewhere three Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe were offshore and a drake Shoveler was on the Main Pond.

Friday 1st March 2013

A female Long-tailed Duck was briefly in the Bight early morning, the bird that has wintered at the top of the estuary, also from the hide 260 Brent Geese, 171 Curlew, 161 Grey Plover, 119 Knot, 16 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 12 Sanderling, 10 Lapwing, a second winter Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere a Water Pipit was in the Bight and 20 Common Scoter were offshore.